Benítez opens door for Liverpool

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THE tearful departure of Rafael Benítez from Valencia yesterday was followed by rapturous scenes on Merseyside, where Liverpool celebrated what they consider to be the biggest managerial coup of the summer. Just weeks after leading Valencia to the Spanish league title and the Uefa Cup, Benítez, one of Europe’s most promising coaches, announced yesterday that he would be leaving the Spanish club, paving the way for his appointment in succession to Gérard Houllier at Anfield.

At the same time that José Mourinho, the FC Porto coach, could be seen swaggering through Heathrow airport as he prepared to finalise his move